Barton:Olympic National Park for a couple of nights on the beach, the continuous flow of fog from the ocean made for the coldest camping site of the summer. The campfire couldn't warm us because there was too much swirling wind. Seattle for two nights and a visit to the Boeing Airplane Plant, which was incredible to see the logistics of making the largest and most complicate machine in the world (next to the NASA Shuttle) in the largest building in the world (.3 x .7 miles), WOW! Glacier for 4 nights, see below for details. Now we are driving to my cousins Steve and Shyla Reich for two nights (Cousin John and family will be there too). They have a horse ranch near Bozemen, MT.

. It was really fun because we got soaked and we had a water war with the other raft.

Yesterday was an unbelievable hike because we saw a lot of mountain goats and they were two feet away from us. We didn't bother them at all. The baby ones were really cute. They would make a squeaking noise if they were scared. We saw marmots. We saw huge ones and we got trapped because me and my mom were getting chased by a marmot. My sister was in back of the marmot and she couldn't get to us. Then she heard a squeak behind her and that was another marmot. Then she got past them and ran up to us. We saw big horn sheep. The horns were huge. They run really fast. We saw a deer. It had furry antlers. Along the hike there was lots of snow. The snow got in my crocs and my feet got so cold that I had to go on my father's back. I slipped on the snow a couple of times.

Benjamin:Yesterday we went on an amazing hike. It might be one of my favorite hikes on the whole trip. It was also our longest hike on the trip. On the way we saw Mountain Goats, Big Horned Sheep, and Marmots

. Seeing all of this wildlife was so cool, it made me feel more connected to the park. The hike had snow on it also. It made my feet feel freeezing!!! My feet were purple. It felt so uncomfortable. At the end of the hike there was an unbelievable lake- Hidden Lake. I think it could have been colder than Crater Lake, which means it was pretty cold, about 37 degrees!Today we went on a crazy and awesome rafting trip down the Flathead River. We went down on Class 2's and Class 3's. Lets just say pretty big waves. We got splashed, had water fights and played fun games in and with the river. We made lunch on the side of the river and it was AmAzInG! They cooked chicken, buffalo burgers, and steak. I had the burger. It was gooooooooooooood. I gotta do it again!!!!!

Sabrina:We are in Glacier NP and so far it has been a great adventure. The first day we took a 6 mile hike first on a board walk over some streams, then walking through snow, then walking on cliffs with small waterways that led to major waterfalls. then we walked through a small forest and then by a lake.

The next day we went rafting! The first part of the trip (in the morning) we were just floating along down the river. Then the second part of the day (after a great homemade fresh food lunch) we went down 9 rough rapids, all with rapid- like names; "bone crusher", "the squeeze", "notch" and many more. It was so amazing!

! We drove through a place called the weeping wall; a wall with several waterfalls that covered our car. I am having a great time in Glacier NP!

Shereen:We are heading east now through beautiful Montana. I'm feeling a bit sad about leaving all the parks behind, Glacier being our last National Park.. The beauty I have witnessed over these last few weeks will fill my mind for years to come. I have much to be thankful for.

Olympic NP on the edge of the coast in Washington was filled with rain forests. Moss draped down from enormous tree branches and we got really good at spotting slugs on many tree trunks. Even saw a bright orange centipede! Pretty cool. Stayed in what became my favorite campsite. We were nestled under a tree canopy that was Ari's continuous hangout, high up in the tree. He only came down for cereal and and spaghetti.

. Very cool city, lots of punks and preppies, big music scene. Made sure we got a Starbucks, but not from the "original" one. The line was out the door and down the street.

After seeing so many parks and experiencing so much unique beauty in each one, I was curious what Glacier would offer. Holy cow! This one stands out for the endless fields of wildflowers that run into snow capped mountains, hiking alongside mountain goats and their babies, stopping to watch marmots do their funny things (looks like overgrown guinea pigs), and navigating over big rocks and then slippery snow within moments of each other. Having no idea what that hike would bring us, I wore my open toe keens and dealt with numb toes for several hours. That hike was clearly a highlight.

Just passed buffalo and camels along this road in Montana. Go figure! This whole trip has been about the unexpected! : )

Comments

jerry gordon
on Jul 31, 2010 at 02:41PM

WOW! I know where we are goin g next summer. love the blogs.

Jen and Dan
on Aug 1, 2010 at 07:20PM

We love reading your stories on your experiences! Your trip seems amazing on a whole bunch of levels....photos are dreamy, and the photographers are amazing. I can imagine the photo wall in your house. Miss you all!!! Love Jen and Danny

lseltzer2@nyc.rr.com
on Aug 3, 2010 at 04:07AM

Seeing your pictures makes me feel like I'm traveling right along with you. What am I talking about? No it doesn't. It makes me feel like I'm a psychopath for not doing what you're doing every single day of my life. I am so incredibly inspired and awestruck.I cannot wait to take your exact trip next summer. Who's coming with me?